While the iPhone 16 is on everyone's mind ahead of its launch on 9 September 2024, it is now the iPhone SE 4 that is starting to generate buzz.

The latest iPhone SE was released in spring 2022, called the iPhone SE 3 for 3rd generation. It is the last iPhone still featuring Touch ID and could therefore soon be replaced.

What is an iPhone "SE"?

The iPhone SE differs from other series that are numbered, such as the 16 series, which will soon be released. A new series is released every year in September.

The iPhone SE first appeared in 2016 and has only had three versions to date, each several years apart.

SE is the acronym for "Special Edition".

The unique feature of the SE model is that it adopts the appearance and design of an older series, but incorporates the technical characteristics of the most recently released series.

The SE 1, released in 2016, featured the design of the iPhone 5S with improved performance, notably with a new A9Apple, a larger battery capacity and a 12-megapixel rear camera that could record up to 4K video at 30 frames per second.

The SE 2, released in 2020, had the same dimensions as the iPhone 8 but featured components from the iPhone 11, with an Apple A13 Bionic chip, a wide-angle lens in portrait mode, as on the iPhone XR, and an improved HDR2 mode compared to the iPhone XS and iPhone XR.

The SE 3 was released in 2022. Apple chose to keep the same design as its predecessor, i.e. the original iPhone 8 design, with the exception of the rear glass, which was borrowed from the iPhone 13. Internal performance has been improved with an A15 bionic chip, a 12MP camera lens and HDR4, again offering a significant improvement in photo and video quality.

Another difference is the colours. Apple has given the SE series its own range of colours, again setting it apart from the traditional series.

Last but not least, the SE version of the iPhone is the least expensive of all iPhones currently on the market.

In fact, the "oldest" iPhone currently sold (new) by Apple is the iPhone 13. In France, the cheapest version (138GB) is priced at £752.95, compared to £532.95 for the iPhone SE 3.

What new features will the iPhone SE 4 have?

Apple Apple has not yet announced anything, but there are many rumours circulating, as was the case with the iPhone 16.

Almost two years after the release of the latest iPhone SE 3, it seems that the SE 4 will make its appearance in spring 2025.

According to rumours, the iPhone SE 4 could differ slightly from its predecessors by adopting a design similar to the latest series that will precede it, namely the iPhone 16.

Some are predicting that in terms of performance, the iPhone SE 4 will surpass the iPhone 15.

In terms of features, the iPhone SE will say goodbye to Touch ID in favour of Face ID. The SE 3 was the last iPhone still on the market with this feature. From 2025 onwards, all iPhones will potentially be equipped with Face ID.

In terms of screen size, we will move from the current 4.7 inches on the SE 3 to 6.1 inches. In terms of quality, Retina HD will be abandoned in favour of an OLED screen, as on recent iPhones.

In terms of power, the device is expected to run on the A18 chip, with 8GB of RAM.

The chassis will be made of aluminium, like the vast majority of recent iPhones (with the exception of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which are made of titanium).

As for the charger, goodbye Lightning port (due to European regulations) and hello USB-C port!

Finally, like its predecessors, it will feature a single 48MP camera lens, compared to 12MP on the SE 3.

How much will the iPhone SE 4 cost?

As mentioned above, the iPhone SE is designed to be the cheapest version on the market.

With the arrival of the iPhone 16, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 will therefore be the oldest series on the market when the SE 4 is released.

To date (a few weeks before the release of the iPhone 16, editor's note), the iPhone 14 is priced at €872.95 for the 128 GB version. A price drop is expected after the release of the new series.

So one thing is certain: the iPhone SE 4 will be priced below the entry-level iPhone 14.

According to rumours, the price of the SE 4 will be between $499 and $549, up from the previous version. Given that you have to add €150 to €200 to the Euro conversion for the version sold in France (we explain why here), you can expect a price between €550 and €700.